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Thursday, 10 January 2019

I head back to work on Monday and I'm excited for the year ahead. What I'm not excited about is the daily struggle of trying to find something to wear.

For months I've been trying to stretch a handful of separates (both me made and RTW) and it's been really frustrating. I have enough to be appropriately clothed. I don't have enough to only wear things I feel good in or to change my mind if I don't feel like wearing a particular item. It's a total first world problem but it's not a great way to start the day. Clearly my sewing time has been devoted to casual sewing for too long.

So my focus for January is sewing more work wear. I pulled these patterns and I've already made a start, I've cut three silk camis, a white linen Inari tee and a pair of Ginger jeans in black drill (these are a total wardrobe workhorse for me). I need to muslin the McCall's dress and hope to make a start on it soon. The best part is that all the fabric and patterns are already in my stash!

I'm not locking myself into these patterns but I am focusing on pieces for work. Also, if you have any work wear blogs or Instagram accounts that you love please share - I'd love some more inspiration!

Do you struggle with what to wear to work? Do you make your work clothes? If you do, what are some of your favourite patterns?

Tuesday, 1 January 2019

Happy New Year!

This space was totally neglected in 2018 but I still love blogs and think they bring something different so I'll do what I can to reinvigorate it in 2019.

Like last year I've loved seeing all the #2019makenine lists popping up on Instagram, but this year I'm not going to participate. I want to try something a little different - if I can make it work you'll see it here on Feb 1. I may not have a list of projects but I do have three simple goals:

I have a large sewing room with very generous storage space and my cupboards are overflowing with beautiful fabric. It's a great problem to have but I want to use the fabric while I still love it. Ditto for my pattern collection.

I tend to have a very practical approach to sewing and generally focus on making items I need. This year I want to add a little bit more fun to my wardrobe and sew some frosting. Can't wait to make a start towards this goal!

So how did I do with my #2018makenine list? Not very well. I made 2 of my 9 planned garments, the Lodo dress and Archer shirt. The Lodo dress ended up as a cropped top due to a sizing error but I do love it. Neither item got blogged, but there is a picture of my lodo top on instagram. I sewed my Archer in September and just had to add buttons. I finally sewed those on yesterday so hopefully I'll get that up here soon.

I actually still love all of the items I picked last year so maybe they'll get made up in 2019.

I love being a very small part of this amazing community of makers and I'm excited to see what the new year will bring. Do you have any sewing/creating goals or resolutions for 2019?

Monday, 17 September 2018

The making has been slow the last couple of months but the change of season has me considering all the beautiful things I want to add to my wardrobe.

With a week at Sewjourn coming up fast, I wanted to put together a plan (of sorts) so that I could sew with a purpose. So here are my inspiration boards for spring/summer. The first board is more for the office and the second is more casual, but pieces will cross over from each because I like my clothes to work hard.

It's ambitious, and I don't have exact pattern matches, but I think that might work better for me. There's no self-imposed pressure to sew all the things but there's enough structure that I don't waste time wondering what to sew next. I've already picked out several items that I want to make so watch this space. Actual completed projects coming soon!

Thursday, 24 May 2018

So according to Instagram I finished these pants on April 2, but I only just managed to convince one of my kids to take photos today (excuse all the wrinkles from sitting at work all day).

These pants are New Look 6459 that everybody else made several years ago. I bought the pattern for the top, but ended up making the pants, and I see another version happening soon (with a couple of minor modifications).

I have to say that I'm in love with this fabric - it's the heavyweight vintage blush linen from The Fabric Store. I would make all the things in this if I could! In terms of adjustments I cut a size 18, omitted the front darts and used a slightly narrower seam allowance from the waist to the hip. I think the instructions have the invisible zipper on the side but I moved it to the back.

Next time I make these I would interface the pocket openings to reduce the gaping, I'd add a little extra through the back crotch curve (it's just a touch uncomfortable when sitting if you know what I mean!) and I'd lengthen them by 1.5 inches. I'd probably also slim the legs a little bit.

Not sure I've got the styling quite right, but I'm loving these pants and really enjoying how versatile they are.

Sunday, 6 May 2018

My creative drive has been all over the place lately, I can't seem to settle on a particular project and so all three of my April projects are in various states of completion. Hopefully I'll have at least one completed by the end of the week.

I may also have placed an order at The Fabric Store. There's some beautiful silk, viscose, merino knit, merino sport fabric and a couple of sweatshirt fabrics coming my way. I've got plans for an Ogden cami with the silk, a couple of pairs of pants (Simplicity 8389 for the viscose and some Animas, a jumper/sweater, two work out tops and a merino knit top (thinking I'll use the Rowan top) - and I probably won't make any of it in May!

Saturday, 21 April 2018

The pattern is a good one for a basic t-shirt and I used it late last year but didn't think it warranted blogging. This is still just a t-shirt but I thought it deserved it's own post.

The idea for this has been rolling around in my head for a while. It was probably inspired by something I saw on Pinterest or another blog. It had to have long, slightly flared sleeves, be semi-fitted through the body with a scooped neckline. I also knew that I wanted to make it up in this light weight ponte that I bought at Spotlight a couple of years ago.

To create the vision in my head I scooped 2 inches out of the front neckline, grading to 1/4 of an inch at the shoulders. I extended the sleeve to a create a finished length of 68cm and a circumference of 40cm (yes, I do switch between imperial and metric measures!) and I used a facing to finish the neckline which I think provides a really clean finish. I've kept the slightly high-low hemline as I like the touch of extra length in the back and the shape of the hemline.

I'm loving this top and plan on making at least one more in a sold colour, not sure yet whether it will have the flared sleeve or not.